Mary J. Allen, 85, of Waitsfield, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her family on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. Born in Montpelier on September 20, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Leon E. and Esther S. (Rickert) Joslyn. On June 21, 1946, she married Lawrence D. Allen Sr. in Waitsfield. Lawrence, Mary’s husband of 63 years, predeceased her on January 10, 2010.

Mary was a 1944 graduate of Waitsfield High School and then went on to work for Rock of Ages in Graniteville. Following her marriage Mary was happy and busy as a homemaker and raising her family. She later returned to work, first as a waitress and housekeeper for the former Mad River Barn in Fayston, then as a cook for the Waitsfield Elementary School and more recently as a postal clerk for the Waitsfield Post Office, retiring in 1988 following 28 years of service.

Her memberships included the Waitsfield United Church of Christ, the Mad River American Legion Auxiliary Unit 75 of Waitsfield, and she was active with the Waitsfield Senior Citizens and Meals On Wheels.

Mary’s family lovingly remembers her for her joy and creativity of woodworking, particularly the spectacular children’s toys she created, her green thumb in all things floral and vegetable, the pleasure she took in admiring the many birds she fed and the pride and affection she felt for her large and loving family.

Mary is survived by her children, Linda Allen of Waitsfield, Cheryl Kozak and her husband, Jerry, of Bainbridge, NY, Larry Allen Jr. and his wife, CarolLee, of Cuttingsville, and Jeffrey Allen of Waitsfield; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Barbara Whitworth of Northfield; her brother, Duayne Joslyn and his wife, Kaye, of Columbus, NE; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family.

Memorial services will be held at the Waitsfield United Church of Christ on Friday, May 25, 2012, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the church dining room. Inurnment services will take place in the Waitsfield Common Cemetery. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Central Vermont Humane Society, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.